Classification of daffodils
The classification of daffodils into 12 different classes, sometimes referred to as divisions, is purely from a horticultural perspective. Decisive for this classification of the daffodils is mostly the shape and length of the corolla, the number of flowers per stem, but also the flowering time. This form of classification is an aid to planning plantings. Most of the commercially available daffodils come from class 1, the trumpet daffodils; class 2, the large-crowned daffodils and class 8, the tazettes, which are, however, already more demanding in gardening.
The wild species are an exception within this classification, as they and the species hybrids occurring in nature are generally placed in class 10. Wild daffodils are also divided into different sections. This is explained in the narcissus system .
The individual classes
Class 1: Trumpet daffodils
- Trumpet daffodils usually have single flowers. The secondary corolla is at least as long as the petals of the main corolla. Class 1 daffodils have an early to medium flowering time.
- Trumpet daffodils require normal garden soil and a location in full sun to partial shade. Otherwise they have no further requirements. Winter protection is not required.
- The varieties of this class, designated by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) as robust and resistant, include the white to creamy white flowering varieties 'Empress of Ireland' and 'Mount Hood' as well as the golden yellow flowering variety 'Kingscourt', whose flowers are up to 11 centimeters become wide.
Class 2: Large-crowned daffodils
- Most of the daffodils classified in this class also have single flowers. With them, the length of the secondary crown is at least a third of the tepals, but the secondary crown is no longer than the tepals. Class 2 daffodils have early to medium flowering.
- Large-crowned daffodils have the same location requirements as class 1 daffodils. Winter protection is also not required.
- One of the best-known varieties in this class is the 'Ice Follies' variety, which has creamy white tepals and whose side crown fades from an initial lemon yellow to white. Ice Follies is one of the varieties that are grown very frequently in Holland and that are regularly sold as cut flowers as well as daffodil bulbs. The RHS recommended varieties also include 'Passionale' and 'Kilworth'. Both have a white main crown, against which the secondary crown is clearly distinguished by a yellow-pink to bright orange-red color. The 'Daydream' variety has a yellow main crown with an initially lemon-yellow and later fading secondary crown.
Class 3: Small-crowned daffodils
- For these daffodils, single flowers are also typical in most cases. The length of the secondary crown corresponds at most to a third of the length of the main corolla. Class 3 daffodils have medium to late flowering.
- The location requirements correspond to the class 1 assigned daffodils. Winter protection is also unnecessary for this class of daffodils.
Class 4: Double-flowered daffodils
- The various narcissus shapes that are assigned to this class either have double crowns or they are absent and are replaced by additional tepals. A single stem can bear one or more flowers. Class 4 daffodils have a medium to late flowering period.
- While the location requirements correspond to class 1 daffodils, depending on the variety, it is sometimes necessary to apply light winter protection. Some varieties are also not stable and have to be tied up. Because of this weak stand, these daffodils are not very common in the garden.
- The RHS recommends the 'Yellow Cheerfullness' variety. It has golden yellow flowers that are densely filled and emit a pleasant scent. The single flower is only two centimeters wide, but the flowers appear three to four flowers on a stem.
Class 5: Angel's tear daffodils
- Daffodils of this class all come from the angel's tear daffodil ( N. triandrus ) and are therefore also referred to as triandrus hybrids. The plants have one or more nodding flowers per stem. The secondary crown is often cylindrical and narrower. The main crown is repulsed. The leaves are very strong. Angel's tear daffodils bloom very late and give off a strong scent.
- The daffodils of this class prefer locations that are dry in summer. They are therefore particularly well suited for rock gardens . They are more sensitive to frost than those in the first three classes and should therefore be in a protected location or be provided with light winter protection.
Class 6: Cyclamen daffodils
- Daffodils in this class all descend from the cyclamen daffodil ( N. cyclamineus ). They are therefore also known as Cyclamineus hybrids. The stems bear one or two flowers. The secondary crown is often cylindrical and longer than that of class 5 daffodils. The main corolla are turned back, narrow and pointed. Class 6 daffodils have a very early to medium flowering time.
- The cyclamen daffodils require humus-rich, slightly acidic soil that is kept slightly moist even in summer. Winter protection, however, is not necessary.
Class 7: Jonquilling
- The daffodils in this class come from either the Jonquille ( N. jonquilla ) or the other species in their section. They are characterized by their fragrant flowers. Each stem bears between two and six flowers. The side crown is short and sometimes widened at the end. The main petals are often flat, rather broad and rounded. They have medium to late flowering.
- The Jonquillen prefer summer-dry and slightly humus soils. Winter protection is not necessary in this class either.
Class 8: Tazettes
- Daffodils of this class are either a hybrid of the ostrich daffodil ( N. tazetta ) or come from a cross between this species and the poet's daffodil ( N. poeticus ). The latter are also known as Poetaz hybrids, which have a very late flowering period. The cluster-shaped inflorescences with a number of flowers between two and sixteen strongly scented flowers are typical of this class. The secondary crown is small and often cylindrical. It is surrounded by broad and mostly pointed main petals. Some of the daffodil varieties listed in this class are winter bloomers, they are often only used for forcing, as pure tazettes are often not winter hardy. Only Poetaz hybrids can therefore be grown in the garden.
Class 9: Poet's daffodils
- All varieties listed in this class come from the poet's daffodil ( N. poeticus ), which is why they are also referred to as Poeticus hybrids. The stem carries only one flower with a white perigone. The secondary crown is very small and colored. Daffodils in this class will flower late.
- The location requirements correspond to those of class 1. Poet's daffodils are particularly suitable for growing wild in lawns.
Class 10: Game species
- In this class all wild species and species hybrids occurring in nature are listed. When cultivating in the garden, the conditions of the natural sites must be observed. Some of the species can only be cultivated in a greenhouse in Central Europe.
Class 11: Slotted crowned daffodils
- Daffodils of this class usually have single flowers, the side crown of which is split over more than half the height. Varieties of this class are sometimes referred to as split coronas, because they have the original paracorolla petals that have grown together in the other daffodils. Often the corrugated segments of the secondary crown even lie on the main corolla. Daffodils in this class have very early to medium flowering.
- The location requirements correspond to those of class 1 daffodils. Winter protection is not necessary.
Class 12: Other daffodils
- All hybrids that cannot be assigned to any of the other classes are placed in this class. This class contains very few varieties with inconsistent flower shape and flowering time. Their location requirements and winter hardiness also depend on the variety.
literature
- Dumont's gardening manual: bulbs and tubers. Dumont Buchverlag, Cologne 1998, ISBN 3-7701-4336-1 .
- Walter Erhardt: Daffodils - daffodils, jonquilles, tazettes. Ulmer Verlag, Stuttgart 1993, ISBN 3-8001-6489-2 .